Odegaard's influence at Arsenal mirror Guardiola's suspicion about stat

Numbers tend to speak for themselves in football, but for players like Martin Odegaard, that isn't always the case.

The midfielder has been one of Arsenal's best performers during their three-game winning stretch with two wins over Wolves, either side of a victory against Brentford.

Looking at the Norwegian's statistics, it wouldn't seem that way as he didn't register a goal or an assist. In fact, he hasn't set up one of his teammates since Boxing Day, and he last found the net on December 11.

Football's overreliance on numbers is something that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has highlighted in the past as the Manchester City boss reckons statistics don't tell the full story.

"There are players that make the team play good but they are not in the statistics," said Guardiola. "Statistics never existed before. It is a problem in the real world, not just in football. The players are just 'how many goals did I score? How many assists?'

Guardiola wasn't specifically referring to Odegaard, but he is a player that certainly proves his point as the playmaker's influence on this Arsenal side this season has been significant, despite his numbers not reflecting this.

Odegaard might be playing behind Alexandre Lacazette but he's not operating as a traditional 'number 10' as he tends to dictate the play from a deeper position.

He makes good decisions with the ball at his feet, moves it quickly and decisively, has a strong first touch when under pressure in tight spaces, and gets his teammates into promising areas of the pitch.

He misplaced just 10 of his 73 passes against Wolves despite playing in the most congested area of the pitch.

Odegaard also made more passes while under pressure from an opponent than any of his teammates, while placing top for progressive passes.

Often, he'll be the player who makes the pass before the assist, also known as the hockey assist.

Odegaard might be flying under the radar but that will suit Mikel Arteta as long as he keeps performing to this level.

The midfielder has also emerged as a future club captain as Arsenal look to appoint a permanent skipper following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's exit.

"He certainly has all the qualities to do that, absolutely," Arteta recently said of the Norway captain. "Talking to his national team coach and how highly they speak of him. He walks through the corridor and everybody loves him.

"He is such a nice, humble guy and he leads with the way he is. It is very natural for him and that will come."

Odegaard enjoyed a spell on loan at Arsenal during the second half of last season before he made the move permanent in the summer. And Arteta said it was a straightforward decision to go back in for him.

"Well we had a period with him where we could evaluate what Martin could bring to the club," said the Gunners boss. "We had no doubts. The club was brilliant to secure him in a really convincing way.

"Martin was really happy to join us because he had a really good time, he felt valued, he enjoyed what we are doing, he got a really good connection with the players and the supporters.

"He wanted to be part of the project. Since then he is getting better and better, and I am not surprised.

"The way he lives his profession, the way he likes to play football and everything he does is to become better. He has still a big margin. He wants it probably more than anyone else on that pitch, every single day. He will be top.